“We are delighted to announce that the 2018 Mustang offers an available Performance Pack that will be among the first vehicles on the road to offer the Y-rated Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires."

2018 Mustang GT

“The new Mustang is our best ever, based on more than 50 years as one of the iconic sports car in America and now, the world,” said Joe Hinrichs, President of The Americas. “Tapping Mustang’s enormous fan base, we’re bringing the new Mustang straight to the people – and introducing the new car across multiple social media channels, reaching millions.”

The 2018 Ford Mustang offers a sleeker design, more advanced technology and improved performance. With technology for greater personalization, Mustang makes available Ford’s first 12-inch all-digital LCD screen built into the dashboard. This all new customizable instrument cluster can be easily personalized, offering three separate views. Customers can personalize the displays for normal, sport and track mode. All-new Mustang MyMode with memory function allows customers to save their favorite drive settings, including suspension and steering preferences.

The new Mustang is so customizable that even its engine note (how the engine sounds) can be adjusted. Delivering an audible experience like never before, an all-new active valve exhaust system is optional on the Mustang GT, with a fully variable soundtrack to match the entire acceleration range.

For the first time, Mustang benefits from a vast array of Ford driver-assist technology. Customers can feel more confident than ever behind the wheel with new features like Pre-Collision Assist with pedestrian detection, distance alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist and Driver Alert System.

Ford’s legendary 5.0-liter V8 engine has been thoroughly reworked. It is more powerful and revs higher than any Mustang GT before.

This power increase was achieved with the first application for Mustang of Ford’s new dual-fuel, high-pressure direct injection and low-pressure port fuel injection on a V8 engine – delivering robust low-end torque, high-rpm power, and improved fuel efficiency.

The manual transmission for both engine options has been upgraded for optimal torque. For the V8, the manual transmission has been totally redesigned to include a twin-disc clutch and dual-mass flywheel to increase torque capability and deliver more efficient clutch modulation.

A new 10-speed automatic transmission, available with both EcoBoost and V8 engines, is the best automatic Mustang that Ford has ever offered. With a wide-ratio span and optimized gear spacing, this all-new gearbox helps deliver higher average power for acceleration – improving responsiveness and performance.

Compared to the previous six-speed, the new 10-speed transmission has quicker shift times, better low-speed tip-in response and significantly reduced friction losses. The all new electronic control system includes unique tunes for different drive modes and features real-time adaptive shift scheduling to ensure the right gear at the right time. Steering wheel-mounted shift paddles allow drivers maximum manual control.

Energy in the design overall, the car’s exterior design is now more athletic, with a lower, remodeled hood and grille that deliver a leaner look and refined aerodynamics, upper and lower front grilles, and a new position for hood vents. For the first time, the entire Mustang line will feature all-LED front lights including signature lighting, low-beams, turn signals, efficient projector high beams and available fog lamps.

The rear of the car gets revised LED tail lamps for a more technical look, plus a new bumper, fascia and available performance spoiler. Dual-tip exhaust is standard for EcoBoost® Mustang, while V8powered Mustang GT gets a standard quad-tip exhaust.

With a dozen available alloy wheel designs and fresh exterior color choices – including all-new signature Orange Fury – enthusiasts can order a Mustang with the look they’re after.

Improved touch points and visual cues with a more premium look and feel characterize the new cockpit. The center console adds a new hand-stitched wrap with contrast stitching and padded knee bolsters while door handles, rings and bezels are finished in aluminum. Restyled seating surfaces feature new patterns and color choices, the instrument panel sports an updated Mustang badge and there’s a new key fob design. A heated steering wheel is optional.

Ford’s most advanced Mustang ever goes on sale in North America this fall.

Carl Widmann, Mustang’s Chief Program Engineer, told us how the new 2018 Mustang is a great track day car for the HPDE enthusiast. “The 2018 Mustang is packed full of performance enhancements, ranging from powerful engine upgrades, plus an all-new available 10-speed automatic transmission for quicker shift times, and available MagneRide™ suspension for optimum handling on a track and road. There is also an optional active valve exhaust that affords complete auditory control to let the Mustang engine roar, or not.” We asked Widmann for the HP, torque and rev limit figures in the reworked 5.0 liter V8. “We have not announced these details yet but will this summer,” said Widmann. “What we have confirmed and are very excited about is that the horsepower and torque will increase for the V8 and torque will increase for the 2.3-liter EcoBoost cars.”

Although Widmann does not have any details yet regarding what comes with the Mustang Performance Package nor how its MagneRide Technology specifically benefits on track performance, ““we will soon,” he says. “You can expect that the Performance Pack vehicles will have all necessary features, great new Michelin tires and aerodynamics that will enhance the drive for the most spirited drivers. Magneride damper technology will optimize ride and handling in all situations. We introduced it onto the core Mustang program because of its unique ability to quickly change damping performance in different driving scenarios. In fact, we’ve recently been out in Arizona testing with the vehicles and I can tell you, it is seriously fun to drive!”

Although the new GT is considered an ample track car, Ford still considers its Shelby GT350 its most fully track capable Mustang they offer. “We are constantly exploring new ways to ensure that the world’s best-selling car, the GT, stays at the top of its game. We took a lot of inspiration from the ever-popular Shelby GT350 Mustang when developing this car and we’re sure that customers who buy the new 2018 Mustang will not be disappointed. However, for ultimate track enthusiasts, the Shelby GT350 is the most fully track capable Mustang we offer.”

We asked Widmann, “What are the shift speeds of the new 10-speed automatic? Will there be a sport or track mode for faster shifting? What are the different drive modes and which one will be best on the track?” We have not confirmed details for the all-new 10-speed automatic transmission yet, but we expect it to be the best performing automatic transmission we’ve had on a Mustang. There are 3 drive modes for the new Mustang – Normal, Sport and Track – and an additional all-new Mustang MyMode with memory function that allows customers to save their favorite drive settings, including suspension and steering preferences.”

Since Mustang’s benchmark 2015 model ”…which has been received very well by customers all around the world,” says Widmann, Ford has not taken any new steps to control overheating or oil and fuel starvation under heave g-force loads demanded by track driving, “although we do continue to enhance our engines and transmissions to make sure we maintain at least the performance of the previous generation.”

“We are delighted to announce that the 2018 Mustang offers an available Performance Pack that will be among the first vehicles on the road to offer the Y-rated Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires which should provide exceptional handling and grip, as well as offering better all-around capability in different driving conditions.”

It seems that the new Mustang GT has been re-worked to put it more on par with the Chevy Camaro SS. The GT has the magnetorheological shocks available as an option, the new 10 speed automatic transmission shared with the 2017 Camaro ZL1 and has the latest version of the Michelin Pilot Sport tires, the 4S. There are many details yet to be unveiled but what we do know indicates that the Mustang GT will be a formidable track day instrument. Slap a supercharger, a track suspension package and some big Brembo brakes from Ford Performance on the car when you order it and you just may have a ZL1 beater.